Dry separator for auriferous material



(No Model.) 2 sheetssheet 1.

. E.G .SO0Y. DRY SEPARATOR FOR AURIFER OUS MATERIAL.

No. 598,963. Patented Feb. 15, 1898."

2 SheetsSheet 2 (No Model.)

E. O.S OOY.: DRY SEPARATOE FOR AURIFBROUS MATERIAL. No. 598,963.

Patented Feb. 15, 1898.

on line a: a; of Fig. 3.

UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

EPHRAIM C. SOOY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

DRY SEPARATOR FOR AU RIFEROUS MATERIAL.

1 SPEGIFICA TION forming part of Letters Patent No. 598,963, dated February 15, 1898,.

Application filed May 3, 1897'. Serial No. 634,959. (No model.)

T0 ctZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EPHRAIM O. SOOY, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Kansas My invention relates to that class of separators in which induced currents of air are employed in the separation; and it has for its objects, first, to obtain a number of separations of the material, according to the specific gravity, without loss of the fine particles of the metal, and, second, to provide for the disparity in the grades of material undergoing the intermediate separation.

My invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, such'as will be first fully described, and specificallypointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved separator. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View of the separator, enlarged, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the separator. Fig. 4 is a detail view in perspective of the reciprocating inclined table. Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the adjustable plates on the ledge opposite the opening for the passage of the heavy material.

Similar letters-of reference indicate-corresponding'parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the frame of the machine, which is composed of separate longitudinal side frames A A arranged in an upright position and at a considerable distance from each other. The frame A consists of the horizontal base or beam or, near one end of which beam is rigidly connected the standard a. Near the other end of beam is connected the lower end of standard a. With the beam a, at a point a little over one-third the described distance in the direction of standard a from standard a is connected the lower end of the standard a. With the upper ends of the respective standards a a a is connected a horizontal beam a. The other frame A is composed of the upper and lower horizontal beams a a and standards a a a, which correspond in position and are of the'dimensions' as the respective horizontal beams a and a and with the standards a a a of frame A, respectively. With the beam of, near the standard a, is connected one end of a cross or tie beam a the other end of which beam is connected with the beam a near the standard a Near the respective standards a a and connected with the beams a a is a cross-beam a, and at a point on said beams a a equidistant from the cross-beams a a and connected with said beam is a cross-beam a.

Between the respective side frames A A of frame A is arranged the inclined separating-'tableB', the upper end of which is in a position between the opposite standards a a and at an elevation from the plane of beam a a little over one-half the described distance from the plane of beam a'to the plane of beam a". The lowerend of the table B extends to a position between the standards a a and at an elevation a short distance above the plane of the beams a a tends from a position a short distance from the inner side of the frame A to a position a short distance from the inner side of the frame A so as to provide space for the reciprocal movements of the table.

The table B is provided with longitudinal sides I) I), each one of which sides extends a considerable distance above \the plane of the upper surface of the table and a short distance below the plane of the under surface of said table. At the upper end of the table is a transverse end plate 19 which extends from the inner portion of the side I) to-the inner portion of the side I) and is inclined outwardly at an angle to the table B.

Beneath the upper end of the table B is a In width the table B exconnected one end of a rod the other end of which rod extends upwardly through the beam a and is provided with a screw-threaded end portion and nut 0 Beneath the lower end of the table B is a transverse bar 0', which is precisely the same length as the bar C and is supported at each end by the respective rods 0 0 which rods are connected with said bar and also with the respective beams a a in the same manner as described of the rods 0 0 At the upper end of the table B and with the inner side portion of the side I), a short distance from the end 12 is connected one end of a plate 12 the other end of which plate extends to and is connected with the inner side portion of the side b of the table, and between which plates 19 and b is the hopper b which receives the auriferous material. In the plate 12 near one end of said plate and extending upwardly from the lower edge portion of said plate a short distance, is an opening 19 for the passage of the material. With the upper surface of the table, a short distance from and opposite the opening 71 is connected an upright distributing-post 19 which is slightly wider than the opening 12*. At the other end of plate 17 is an opening I) and a distributing-plate b which is arranged in position in the same manner as the post b In the direction of the lower end of the table 13 and a short distance from the plate 12 is a plate Z2 which extends from the inner portion of the side I) to the inner portion of the side I) of the table and at a less distance upwardly than is described by plate 19 the upper edge portion of which plate is notched or serrated.

At a considerable distance from the serrated plate 11 in the direction of the lower end of table 13 a portion of said table extending from the side I) to the side I) is inclined upwardly at an angle to the plane of the table, forming a step I)", upon the outer edge of which step is a riser 12 which extends downwardly therefrom to a position in line with the lower edges of the sides I) b of the table B and at right angles to the plane of said table. A short distance from the riser b in the direction of the lower end of the table, is a transverse ledge or slat i9 extending from one side Z) to the other side b of the table and in the same plane as the said table. Between the upper edge of slat Z2 and the riser Z2 is an opening I). Upon the upper surface of the slat Z7 is an adjustable plate I), extending in the longitudinal direction of the slat I), one longitudinal edge portion of which plate is bent downwardly at right angles to said plate and extended over the upper edge of the slat B in the opening I). In one end portion of plate b is a slot b and through the slat Z9 is extended an adj usting-bolt b upon one end of which is a fiat head and the other screw-threaded and provided with a thumbscrew b". In the other end of plate 6 is a slot and adjusting screw-bolt, as described of From the lower edge of slot b and bolt b".

the slat 12 is extended upwardly at an angle to the plane of the table B a step I), which is precisely'the same in construction as the step b and its riser b A short distance from the riser on the step D in the direction of the lower end of the table is a slat b upon which is an adjustable plate b as described of the slat and plate h I), and between said slat and riser is an opening b which is the same general width as the opening 11 between the slot 11 and the riser Z2 From the lower edge of the slat 1) extends a step 12 from which extends downwardly a riser 12 in the same manner as the step and riser 1) b Beyond the riser 12 the table is continued in one plane to the lower end, and between the said riser and the adjacent portions of the said table is an opening Z9 which is the same general width as the opening I). On the upper surface of the table, near said opening Z9 is an adjustable plate I), which is the same as the plate 11 and connected with the table in like manner as with the slat b.

In the side I) of the table B,ata point nearly equidistant between the slab I9 and the upper edge of the said side b,is an opening (1, (see Fig. 4,) which extends in length a slight distance beyond the described plane of the step I). In the other side I) of the table is an opening (1, which in respect to the slat l) and the step Z1 is in a like position as described of the opening cl.

Upon the outer portion of the side I) of the table 13 is rigidly connected a narrow trough D, the upper end of which trough extends beneath the lower edge of the opening cl and the lower end extends a short distance beyond the lower end of the table B.

Upon the outer portion of the side I) of the table is a trough D, the upper end of which extends beneath the opening cl in said side. Directly beneath opening (1 and with the inner side portion of the side I) is connected one end of a flat shelf or plate E. The upper edge of plate E extends in a direct line from one side I) of the table to the other side I). The rear edge e of said table describes two inclined planes extending from the said sides Z) Z) and inwardly in the direction of the upper edge of said plate. With the rear edge of said plate E is connected the lower edge portion of a plate e which extends from the inner portion of the side I) close in position to the lower edge of the opening 61 and is bent inwardly to the intermediate point of said inclined planes described by the lower edge of plate E, thence extended to the inner portion of the side Z), close in position to the lower edge of the opening d. Said plate E extends in an upward direction to the plane of the upper edge of the sides I) Z) and is inclined rearwardly in a slight degree.

Beneath the under surface of the plate E and the upper surface of the slat b is an opening 6 for the passage of the material, as hereinafter described. The plate 6 is supported in position at a point equidistant from the sides I) b of the table by the upright bracket 6 which is connected rigidly with the table and extends close in position to the back of plate e E, which is constructed in precisely the same manner as the plate E and beneath which is a passage for the material, as described, be

neath the said plate E. In the sides I) b of the table are openings (1 each communicating with the trough D on one side and with the trough D on the other, as described of the openings 01 61. Above the adjustable plate I9 is a shelf or plate E which is also constructed and arranged in position in precisely the same manner as described of the shelf E, and at each end of said shelf in each side I) b are openings'for the passage of the material to the respective troughs, as described of the openings cl d.

With the cross-beam a connecting the respective frames A A at the upper ends; is connected one end of a beam f, the other end ogwhich beam is connected with the beam at which beams are at short distances from the respective beams a a Upon said beams ff is journaled a fan-shaft g, the outer end of which shaft is journaled on the beam at.

Upon the shaft g are fan-blades g, and extending around said blades and shaft is a circular fan-case G, with the upper side of which case is connected one end of a spout g the other end of which spout extends over beam at and at a suitable distance from said fancase upon shaft 9 is a belt-pulley g Upon the outer side portion and near the lower end of the standard a a short distance below the plane of the table B, is a shafthanger h, and upon the standards a a at the same described distance from the plane of the lower edge of the side 5, are shaft-hangers h if, in which hangers is a shaft H. Upon shaft H, near the lower end, is an eccentric h with which is connected an eccentric-rod h, which rod is connected with the under side portion of the table B. Near the upper end of shaft H is an eccentric k which is connected with the table in the same manner as eccentric 71 Upon the upper'end of rod H is a bevel-gear h".

Extending in a transverse direction to the frame of the machine and journaled in the journal-hanger 2' i on the respective standards a a is a shaft I, on one end of which shaft is a bevel-gear 2' which meshes with. the bevel-gear h on shaft H. The other end of shaft 1 extends beyond the outer side of the standard a", and upon said end of said shaft is a power-driven pulley 1. On said shaft I on the inner side of the standard a is a belt-pulley K. Over the pulleyK is ex- Above the slat Z1 is a plate Parallel with the beam f and connected with said beam 00 a is a beamf', both of M, which is rectangular in shape and composed of the sides 1% m, ends tn m and top 471 tends downwardly to Within a short distance of the upper surface of the table B at a point near the step b in the direction of the serrated plate b*. The rear end an of the chamber extends downwardly to within a short distance of the upper surface'of the table B, a short distance in rear of the shelf E The sides mm of the chamber extend downwardly to within a short distance of the plane of the upper edge of the sides I) b of the table B. With the outer side portion of the chamber M and near the lower edge of the side m is connected the upper edge and one end of a strip of cloth m, the other end of which strip is extended aroundthe' end m thence along the outer side m, and across the end m, and

the two ends connected ina suitable manner,

vboth side portions of the fan-caseG.

In the operation of the improved separator the auriferous material is placed in a dry condition within the hopper b at the upper end of the table 13. This material in ordinary placer-mining localities consists of sand and pulverized quartz with more or less soil, in which the metals are found in different degrees of fineness and which require to prevent loss of metal a separation at every stage. Power being applied to the pulley I and the shaft I, a reciprocating movement is imparted to the table B. In the same movement power is transmitted to the fan-wheel g and a suction is caused in the air-chamber M, the air being drawn into said chamber through the respective openings Z2 Z2 6 The reciprocal movements of the table cause the material to regulate its discharge through the openings 17 b and is further directed in meeting the posts 5 b and upon reaching the plate b the quantity of material is spread in the direction of the sides of the table, thence passes to the horizontal plane of the step 12 and uponreaching the outer edge of the said step in the direction of the riser b the heavy material and the heaviest metal will fall over the outer edge of said step through the opening 1) unafiected by the currents of air. The material of less specific gravity is immediately acted upon by the air-currents, the finer parts as well as the dust being carried over the opening 19 and deposited upon shelf E, the reciprocal movements of the table causing the said separated'material to pass through the 'openingsdcl' into the respective The front end m of the chamber M ex- 4 troughs D D and deposited a short distance from the machine. The grade of material which is too heavy to be carried onto the shelf E and at the same time prevented from falling through the opening Z9 lodges upon the slat I1 and plate Z2 and passes beneath the plate E and upon the step 72 and thence passes over the outer edge of said step over the opening between said step and the slat b Thence it is subjected to another separation, the light material being carried into the troughs D D and the heavy into the space between the shelf E and the step 19 a thorough separation being given during its passage upon the table.

In certain grades of material, more particularly where sand predominates, the rapid action of the air-currents are found necessary, so that the light material raised within the air-chamber by the force of the air-currents may fall upon the shelves E E E and the fine metal saved. The plates 19 b b are adjusted so as to narrow the width of the respective openings in the bottom of the table, the thumb-screw 79 being released for that purpose and, after adjustment of the plates, again turned to clamp the plates upon the slats.

In order to observe the progress of the separation, I have formed in the side on of the chamber M an opening an, and upon the outer side of said chamber is arranged the frame 171., which extends around said opening and which contains a pane of glass m'.

The power of the fan may be increased, so as to cause whirling currents within the airchamber, where the dust is found in large quantities, and the separation obtained by the gradual deposition of the metal upon the shelves E E E In my improved machine large quantities of the auriferous material may be separated and a gain effected in less handling of the material than where successive operations are required. The risers B may be dispensed with when found desirable.

Having fully described my invention, what I now claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a separator for auriferous material, the combination with an inclined table, having longitudinal sides extending above the plane of said table, and transverse openings in said table for the passage of the heavy material, extending from one side of the table to the other side, of steps upon opposite sides of each opening on separate elevated planes, and a slat extendingin the plane of said table from one of said steps in the direction of said transverse opening, a shelf above said slat, connected with the sides of said table, having an upward extension in the path of the material inclined rearwardly at an angle to said sides from an intermediate point on said table between said sides, troughs upon the outer portions of the sides to said table, said sides hav ing an opening opposite the point of connection of the shelf with said sides, communication with each trough, means for reciprocating said table laterally and a fixed air-chamber above said table, a fan-chamber and fan, a conductor connected with said fan-case and said air-chamber and flexible connections of the sides and ends of said air-chamber extending over the sides of said reciprocating table as and for the purpose described.

2. In a separating-machine for auriferous material the combination with the frame of said machine of an inclined table, having sides extending above the plane of said table,

and transverse openings for the passage of the heavy material,transverse supporting-bars at each end of said table, and rods connected with said bars and the frame of said machine, a hopper at the upper end of said table, having openings for the passage of the material, material-distributers upon said table in the path of said material, and a combined slat and upwardly-inclined step on opposite sides of the separate transverse openings in said table, having risers, means for reciprocating said table and adjustable plates upon each said table and a fixed air-chamber above said table, a fan-chamber and fan and a conductor connected with said fan-case, and the end portion of said air-chamber, and flexible connections of the sides and ends of said dustchamber extending over the sides of said reciprocating table, as and for the purpose described.

EPHRAIM O. SOOY. Witnesses:

J. E. BAIRD, JOHN T. MARSHALL. 

